Mount Fuji opened for the climbing season on July 1 [1], marking the first time in 13 years that routes in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures opened simultaneously [2].
This coordinated opening aims to improve safety and convenience for the thousands of hikers who ascend the mountain each summer. By aligning the start dates, authorities can better manage the flow of tourists and implement unified safety measures across different regional jurisdictions.
The opening includes the Yoshida route in Yamanashi Prefecture and the Subashiri route in Shizuoka Prefecture [3]. To enhance climber safety, physicians will now be stationed at first-aid posts located between the fifth and eighth stations [5]. This medical presence is intended to provide immediate care for altitude sickness and other emergencies common during the ascent.
Modernization efforts are also visible at the fifth station, where cashless payment systems have been introduced at toll windows [4]. These updates reflect a broader effort to streamline the hiking experience for international and domestic visitors.
While most reports confirm the simultaneous July 1 opening, some sources listed a later date of July 10 for the Shizuoka side [6]. However, primary reporting from tier-1 news agencies maintains the July 1 date. For those climbing via the Shizuoka route, the entry fee is 4,000 yen [7].
The climbing season is scheduled to remain open until Sept. 10 [3]. Hikers are encouraged to utilize the new medical resources and payment systems as they navigate the ascent to the summit.
“Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures open key routes on the same day for the first time in 13 years.”
The synchronization of the opening dates after more than a decade suggests a shift toward more integrated regional management of Japan's highest peak. By combining medical staffing and digital payments with a unified schedule, authorities are attempting to mitigate the risks of overtourism and altitude-related health crises that frequently plague the mountain during the peak summer window.
